ABSTRACT
Virtual teams, by definition, do not rely on face-to-face communication for the majority of their interactions, but they use relatively unnatural communications media. The virtual team will require a widely acceptable set of communications protocols, depending on the task and operation needs and on the functions, experience and nature of the members. The generation of communications guidelines will require open discussion and mutual agreement. Once the list of protocols on communications has been developed and agreed among the team members, a copy should be issued to each team member. Information overload will be avoided, as the team will take time to identify which communication media are suited to which tasks, and when communications should and should not be made. The protocols should not only cover the functional side of communicating. Remember, a focus on communications processes will often be a great deal more critical for virtual teams than for traditional ones.
